It was a long day of catching up to the things we missed on each other's life. She had also mentioned that she already enrolled me to the town's college and by Monday, I'll start going to school. Edmonds had started their classes last week, but I guess it wouldn't be hard to cope up. Besides, I can easily cope up even I missed two weeks or three.
Night came, Felix was already home. He talked to me a lot during dinner. As a respect, I politely answered his questions even I sensed that something about his gaze was weird. But I only ignored it since Mom looked so happy that we are together. I was relieved that I'm now far from my stepsister's stupidity. I can finally have my peace of mind.
I looked around my room. Though I sleep here when I pay Mom a visit, the scent and the entire room was unfamiliar. It wasn't as large as my room in Dad's house but so far, it's not bad. I'm not fond of big rooms, actually. I was just used to it. But I guess, this a start for a change. New house. New place. New surroundings.
When I woke up the next morning, the only face I saw was Tessa's. She was preparing my breakfast. Ham, bacons, eggs, hotdogs. I snorted. If I was at Dad's house, my bowl of cereals is ready by this time. But looking at all of these, I realized I need to make much more adjustments that I imagined. Mom knew nothing about the things I prefer. I doubt if she even know my favorite food or favorite color. Dad on the other hand knows almost everything about me.
"Good morning, Miss Eve!" Tessa chirped. I almost frowned at his little, high-pitched voice. Was that even normal for her?
"Good morning," I said lazily. "Mom's out early, right?"
She nodded.
"How about Felix?"
"Yes, Miss. He told me to take care of you here. So I cooked a lot for you."
"I'm sorry, Tessa. I am not used at taking heavy breakfast. Do you have some cereals? I'm really sorry. But you can save these for lunch, or you may eat these. Thank you for the effort, anyway."
She pouted. "It's okay, Miss! I'll just give you a bowl of cereals right away."
"Thank you."
For some reason, the whole house was very lonely for me. Not that Dad's house wasn't lonely if I am alone there. But to let the morning hours pass without hearing his voice saddened me. I know I'd most likely to end up this way. I saw this one coming. But I chose this because this is the right choice for me. I know myself more than anyone does. Dad is happy with Dahlia. I don't want to ruin their marriage for my own benefit. I'll eventually learn to adjust here. I hope.
Mom told me that she'd buy me a second hand car. I supposed that was originally planned by Felix. Though I can buy a car on my money - which is actually Dad's, I don't think I'd be needing a vehicle. I can use a cab if ever I want to go somewhere. Besides, Edmonds College is only a few blocks away. Walking for that short time won't hurt.
So I insisted my point. At the end, she didn't force me. Not that my mind would change if she convinced me more. Besides, I'm not that expert when it comes to driving. There was that one time when I tried using my friend's car and I almost crashed myself into pieces to a ten-wheeler truck. Good thing I was lucky enough to have better reflexes.
* * *
I stared at the not so modern building in front of me.
Edmonds College.
So this is what it looks like. Gripping the straps of my back small backpack, I stomped my feet a few times, calming myself. Though, I'm not sure what I am nervous of. The faces of the new professors, the faces of new classmates or the fact that I am receiving such awkward glares from the students around me. Was there something wrong? Do I look like an ugly duckling in the house of swans?
Maybe yes.
I noticed that almost all the person I can see around have fair complexion. Not too far from mine, but the difference could be spotted easily. I am certainly not paper white like how most of them look like. I have a slight tanned skin, more like a milk with a little bit of dark coffee. Just the right mixture.
"Everleigh Delluci?" a woman, probably on her twenties approached me. She was wearing a sky blue shirt with triton's trident. I've seen it outside, too. Probably Edmonds' logo.
"Yes. That's me."
She gave me a smile, a friendly one.
"I am Caroline, a faculty staff. I was told by the Dean to personally welcome you. Also, part of my service is to tour you around."
"Oh... um, thank you."
"So, let's go?"
While she was explaining all the things I need to know, I was busy looking around. But I don't understand why the other students look at me as if I had contracted some sort of disease. I had ever felt like an outcast my whole life. I was a social butterfly. I can easily be noticed and everyone wants to be friend with me. But the air here is much different. Based on the students' glares at me, it was like I committed a sin. A grudge or something?
Did my outfit didn't follow the dress code? But I'm wearing a not so short skater skirt and wholesome upper shirt. Besides, Mom said Edmonds is not strict when it comes to attires. They don't even have a uniform. So I think that's not the problem here.
"Why do I feel like all people here are angry at me?" I whispered.
Caroline chuckled. "You don't really know the real thing, huh?"
"What do you mean?"
She shook her head abruptly.
"Nothing. Just don't take it seriously. Maybe it's because you're a new face."
I doubt it.
"The campus includes 28 computer labs, nine science labs, three eateries, two greenhouses, a digital recording studio, an art gallery, a theater, a child care center, Seaview gym, Triton Field, a transit center, Rainier Place - an on-campus residence hall, and a university satellite center for Central Washington University. Oh, that way is towards the Mountain Terrace Hall," she pointed out.
"Here's your schedule, list of loads and of course, EdPass," she gave me some paper and an identification card?
"EdPass? What's this?"
"That's an identification card, as you see. That's kind of a passport to the college and the community. With that, you can have free rides in community transit local buses, check out books from the college library, can be used as ID for purchases at the college bookstore, deposit money in your FLEX account for purchases on campus. This was supposed to be given to new students on the last week of finals, after paying tuition fees. But of course, you're a special case here. So, that's it..." she shrugged and continue touring me around.
"Who are they?" I whispered, looking at the field with group of students. They were wearing shirts with the same print. Triton in capital letters with a trident at the left. Caroline told me it is how the students of Edmonds are called.
"Student council. That beautiful girl with wavy brown hair at the center, that's Emery Rellis. The new president."
Her beauty was beyond beautiful. Exquisite... how could she be as beautiful as that?
"Here we go at your building!" Caroline exclaimed excitedly.
"Anyway, since your a nursing student, you must know this. The nursing program uniform is a navy scrub top or navy polo shirt with navy scrub pants. The student must be identified by wearing a professional uniform with monogrammed name and school logo on left breast pocket and school patch on left sleeve."
I nodded.
"The uniform must be worn at all times when in a clinical setting. Also, you should follow clinical facility dress code policies in community settings requiring street clothes. Professional attire is expected and skirt length must be knee length or longer."
"I got it," I said.
"You can get your clinical uniform tomorrow at the office. I guess, that's all I can do for you. Good luck on your first day, Everleigh!" she chirped.
"Thank you, Caroline."
I proceeded to the building. I should be in room 306, like how it's stated on the piece of paper Caroline gave me. She told me the floor, so I went straight to the right floor. Just like the moment I stepped on the campus, I received curious glances, annoyed look, mostly. It was like even I haven't said a word yet, they already know me. I can almost taste their disgust at their every glance. Is that their way of welcoming a newbie?
I know that most of them grew together, went to grade school together and spend all their life in this small town. And they see me as a complete outcast. But it's impossible that it's the first time they had a transferee. Can't they open the doors for new people? That's too absurd.
Same weird, annoyed expressions welcomed me as I enter my first class for the day. I took the middle seat on the second to the last row, hoping that I can socialize better if I am at the middle. I asked the girl near me if someone already took the seat but she only ignored me like I wasn't even there on the first place, like I'm only an annoying dust ruining her mood.
"You must be the Mayor's daughter. Everleigh Delluci, is it?" A blonde guy with a boyish smile tapped my desk.
He reached out to touch my cheek but I immediately tilted my head to avoid his fingers. My forehead creased on what he did. I know guys here are much liberated, but that was slightly below the belt. Worst, I can see the insult shouting on his face.
"Yes, I am."
He chuckled. He tried to reach for my cheek again by I tilted my head. Three guys backed him up, they were laughing.
"Oh, feisty little dove."